RENO partners with Checkpoint Systems for its source tagging programme

RENO, one of Europes leading shoe shopping chains, sets the course for the future by changing its retail security technology to the New Digital Radio Frequency (NDRF) tagging system

Checkpoint Systems Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of RF- and RFID-based solutions for identification, tracking, security and merchandising applications, has announced a strategic agreement with RENO, part of the HR group, Europes second-largest shoe retailer. The agreement includes a forward-looking source tagging programme and installation of 700 branches across six countries with NDRF-based (New Digital Radio Frequency) goods tagging systems with integrated customer frequency measurement. Rollout is to be completed by the end of May. Not only should NDRF goods tagging help us to effectively reduce losses, it should also further improve the shopping experience for the customer, explains Hans-Werner Knigs, Divisional Manager of Organisation and Goods Control at RENO.

Positive effect on sales figures

Since 1992 the company has been tagging goods with electromagnetic (EM) at the manufacturing stage in all product groups and price categories. RENO is one of the forerunners of source tagging in the shoe retail trade, says Hans-Werner Knigs. We soon recognised that there are many advantages to effective goods tagging. After all every item thats stolen has a direct effect on a companys operating result.

In addition, this has also had a positive effect on RENOs sales figures. Tags can be integrated into the shoes themselves, so they can be displayed in pairs for customers to select themselves, as well as in boxes without the danger of theft. This means that employees do not have to collect the second shoe from the store and are available to assist the customer throughout the selection procedure. Furthermore, customers can browse around RENO at their leisure and the company meets the consumers highest requirements in terms of product and shopping experience.

Larger aisle width and simpler deactivation

With the switch from EM to NDRF technology, RENO wants to further optimise both its market presence and its operative processes. To be successful in the shoe retail trade the goods have to be presented in the right way. As well as displaying shoes in pairs and in boxes, an open shop construction is also particularly important, says Knigs. With NDRF, the current aisle widths in the branches could be increased from 90 cm to 1.80 m and a more customer friendly entrance introduced. Further improvements in the business process include simpler deactivation of the tagged goods at the point of sale. The cashier transaction is sped up and it guarantees that no customer will leave the store with a tag that accidentally remains activated, thereby triggering a false alarm.

"RENO's decision for radio-frequency source tagging is a further step towards a uniform standard in security technology, not only in Germany, says Ulrich Schfer, Vice-President and General Manager NCE Unit, of Checkpoint Systems. "For retailers, radio-frequency source tagging is the best option for reducing the costs of shrinkage. At the same time they are able to create a customer-friendly shopping atmosphere, which will help to boost sales.

CheckNet ensures a swift supply of tags

The roll-out of the NDRF tagging systems for the 700 branches in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary started at the beginning of 2007. By the end of May Checkpoint will have enabled the installation and commissioning of the new systems. In future, the many millions of tags for Reno will also be provided via CheckNet, Checkpoints service and tagging platform. The order process can be activated through a direct interface. The wafer-thin RF tags 615, which were designed especially for shoes, will then be supplied to the production locations predominantly in Far East.

In addition to the direct advantages associated with Renos switch to NDRF technology, the company also wants to prepare itself for the future. From a strategic point of view, as any other retailer, we dream of fully automatic goods and date tracking from the supplier to the branch. Whats more, wed like to make work processes as simple as possible for our staff working in the branches. We believe that RFID is the most suitable system for this. By opting for RF we can already set the course for the future," explains Knigs.

About Checkpoint Systems Inc.

Checkpoint Systems Inc. is the global leader in shrink management solutions for the retail industry and its supply chain. Checkpoints services are aimed at increasing sales and protecting the profits of its customers. Listed on the NYSE, Checkpoint operates in every geographic market and employs 3,600 personnel worldwide. Checkpoint specializes in source protection of consumer goods, EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and merchandising solutions. CheckNet is Checkpoints strategic platform for its source tagging service, a global network for just in time delivery of critical information and protection applied on products at the point of manufacture.

About Checkpoint Systems UK

Checkpoint Systems UK is a subsidiary of the global company Checkpoint Systems Inc., the worldwide leader in shrink management solutions for the retail industry and its supply chain. Checkpoints services are aimed at increasing sales and protecting the profits of its customers, and the company specialises in source protection of consumer goods, EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and merchandising solutions.

CheckNet is Checkpoints strategic platform for its source tagging service, a global network for just in time delivery of critical information and protection applied on products at the point of manufacture. Listed on the NYSE, Checkpoint Systems Inc. operates in every geographic market and employs 3,600 personnel worldwide.

About Reno

Reno was established in the 1970s in Thaleischweiler-Frschen (Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany). They have over 700 branches in 15 countries and employ 5,000 people. RENO is part of the HR group, Europes second-largest shoe chain. Reno stands for quality shoes at a decent price. Alongside their own brands, Reno also sells shoes made by a number of other manufacturers.

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